Dame Leslie Whateely Iris Ferries 126

mADRAS:

Madras was one of the cities where the newly established University threw up a number of English educated young men and women. They formed a thick layer of educationists and professionals bringing in ideas for all round advance in society. The presence of the dynamic personality of Dr. Besant in Madras and her prominent part in pressing forward reforms in every aspect of Indian society and politics gave additional support and encouragement for these efforts. Naturally, the need for introduction of Scouting among Indian boys as a measure of citizenship training did not escape the public mind. As a matter of fact, Dr. Besant herself took the initiative in creating public opinion not only in Madras but everywhere else in the country, urging Government to extend all possible help in introducing Scouting among the Indian boys. It was under her patronage that the Indian Scout Association was established in Madras which later opened sister associations in a number of Provinces. She collected a number of devoted workers around her to help her in her task. Among those who took a leading part in these efforts were Mr. F. G. Pearce, Mr. M. V. Venkateswaran, Dr. G. S. Arundale, Shri Krishnan Menon, Shri S. V. Kamath.

Shri Krishnan Menon Dr. G.S. Arundale

Under the pressure of public opinion, an association called the Boy Scouts of India was established in 1916, with Lord Pent-land, the then Governor of Madras as the Chief Scout of Madras. Mr. J. Vincent was appointed full time Organizing Commissioner for the Presidency.

Thus two Scout Organisations, viz., the Boy Scouts Association and the Indian Scouts Association became active in Madras side by side. By 1920 the then Governor of Madras Lord Willingdon saw the danger of permitting two associations working in the field and extended his official pressure on the authorities of the two organisations